Home United put up a five-star performance as they comprehensively dismantled the White Swans of Albirex Niigata (Singapore) at Jurong East.
The Protectors achieved their biggest-ever win over the Japanese side with clinical finishes from Peres de Oliveira, Shahril Ishak and hat-trick hero Kengne Ludovick.
Having gone four up by half time, the away side understandably put away the tools with a tricky AFC Cup fixture in Hong Kong on the horizon, but they had already made full use of their repertoire of attackers.
Home began with two changes, with Naruphol Romsawa and Kamarulariffin Karim replacing Farhan Farook and Rosman Sulaiman respectively. The fleet footed Thai Naruphol continued to catch the eye, as he continually caused Albirex problems.
Albirex continued with Akira Takase and skipper Ryota Doi leading the line, as Takatoshi Uchida missed out again.
Home threatened as early as the third minute, with a six-pass move initiated by Valery Hiek’s raking cross-field pass leaving Shahril in the clear.
His tantalising cross reached the head of an unmarked Peres, who forced Norio Takahashi in the Albirex goal to tip it away.
Then Ridzuan Fatah Hassan, standing in for the injured Lionel Lewis in the Home goal, had to be alert to make one of his many saves, as he smartly tipped away Doi’s flashing shot across the goal.
Ludovick then had saw his smart turn and shot saved at point-blank range by Takahashi, after Naruphol helped back a loose ball into the box.
Home continued pressing and they took the lead on 19 minutes. Albirex’ converted centre-half Keisuke Ogawa committed a foul down the byline, and Ludovick was left free to head home Shi Jiayi’s set-piece delivery.
Taisuke Akiyoshi tested Ridzuan from range with a stinging left-foot attempt before Home extended their lead five minutes after Ludovick’s opener.
This time the Cameroonian turned provider, holding off the challenge of his marker and slipping the ball to an onrushing Shahril, who finished with typical aplomb.
Albirex were clearly stunned by the two goals in five minutes and it was to get worse. A minute before the half hour mark, Ludovic was afforded the freedom of Jurong East to ease through a static Japanese defence and fire in for 3-0.
The flood of goals continued as in the 33rd minute, Ludovick shook off the attentions of Ogawa and crossed for Peres to sidefoot in. Home had plundered four goals in an amazing 14 minute spell.
Two minutes later, Albirex had some respite, getting on the scoreboard through Taisuke Akiyoshi’s deflected freekick.
Just before half-time, Akiyoshi began one of his many personal duels with Ridzuan, stinging the palms of the goalkeeper with another piledriver.
Veteran Tetsuya Okayama perhaps conjured the miss of the season on the stroke of half time when he headed over the bar with an open goal in sight.
With nothing to lose, Albirex tried to reduce arrears after the break, Okayama hitting the frame of the goal from 20 yards out.
But loose marking continued to be a thorn in their side, as Peres slipped a pass to Ludovick, who just cleared Takahashi’s right-hand post with a low shot.
Albirex threatened late on with a flurry of chances, most notably for Akiyoshi.
He stole into the box after Doi had held off Kamarulariffin, but found Ridzuan in uncompromising mood.
But it was Home who netted the final goal of the evening, substitute Farhan Farook, Shi Jiayi and Syed Fadhil combined to set-up Ludovick for his hattrick on 81 minutes.
Home coach P N Sivaji had only praise for his lads after the final whistle.
“The boys realised they let themselves down after the Gombak match, and they were keen to make amends,” said Sivaji.
“We got the game going with purpose and went on to play some brilliant football.
“Ludovick held the ball very well and Peres was masterful in the final third of the field. I’m delighted as we were dominant and looked very good going forward.”
Meanwhile Albirex coach Hiroaki Hiraoka remained defiant in defeat. “We shall proceed the way we are,” said the coach when queried if the heavy loss would spell a different approach in their next fixture.
“We faced a good side in Home United tonight. There are games where it takes only one chance for opponents to score. Home had very good individual players and it showed,” said team manager Bogdan Brasoveanu.
The Protectors achieved their biggest-ever win over the Japanese side with clinical finishes from Peres de Oliveira, Shahril Ishak and hat-trick hero Kengne Ludovick.
Having gone four up by half time, the away side understandably put away the tools with a tricky AFC Cup fixture in Hong Kong on the horizon, but they had already made full use of their repertoire of attackers.
Home began with two changes, with Naruphol Romsawa and Kamarulariffin Karim replacing Farhan Farook and Rosman Sulaiman respectively. The fleet footed Thai Naruphol continued to catch the eye, as he continually caused Albirex problems.
Albirex continued with Akira Takase and skipper Ryota Doi leading the line, as Takatoshi Uchida missed out again.
Home threatened as early as the third minute, with a six-pass move initiated by Valery Hiek’s raking cross-field pass leaving Shahril in the clear.
His tantalising cross reached the head of an unmarked Peres, who forced Norio Takahashi in the Albirex goal to tip it away.
Then Ridzuan Fatah Hassan, standing in for the injured Lionel Lewis in the Home goal, had to be alert to make one of his many saves, as he smartly tipped away Doi’s flashing shot across the goal.
Ludovick then had saw his smart turn and shot saved at point-blank range by Takahashi, after Naruphol helped back a loose ball into the box.
Home continued pressing and they took the lead on 19 minutes. Albirex’ converted centre-half Keisuke Ogawa committed a foul down the byline, and Ludovick was left free to head home Shi Jiayi’s set-piece delivery.
Taisuke Akiyoshi tested Ridzuan from range with a stinging left-foot attempt before Home extended their lead five minutes after Ludovick’s opener.
This time the Cameroonian turned provider, holding off the challenge of his marker and slipping the ball to an onrushing Shahril, who finished with typical aplomb.
Albirex were clearly stunned by the two goals in five minutes and it was to get worse. A minute before the half hour mark, Ludovic was afforded the freedom of Jurong East to ease through a static Japanese defence and fire in for 3-0.
The flood of goals continued as in the 33rd minute, Ludovick shook off the attentions of Ogawa and crossed for Peres to sidefoot in. Home had plundered four goals in an amazing 14 minute spell.
Two minutes later, Albirex had some respite, getting on the scoreboard through Taisuke Akiyoshi’s deflected freekick.
Just before half-time, Akiyoshi began one of his many personal duels with Ridzuan, stinging the palms of the goalkeeper with another piledriver.
Veteran Tetsuya Okayama perhaps conjured the miss of the season on the stroke of half time when he headed over the bar with an open goal in sight.
With nothing to lose, Albirex tried to reduce arrears after the break, Okayama hitting the frame of the goal from 20 yards out.
But loose marking continued to be a thorn in their side, as Peres slipped a pass to Ludovick, who just cleared Takahashi’s right-hand post with a low shot.
Albirex threatened late on with a flurry of chances, most notably for Akiyoshi.
He stole into the box after Doi had held off Kamarulariffin, but found Ridzuan in uncompromising mood.
But it was Home who netted the final goal of the evening, substitute Farhan Farook, Shi Jiayi and Syed Fadhil combined to set-up Ludovick for his hattrick on 81 minutes.
Home coach P N Sivaji had only praise for his lads after the final whistle.
“The boys realised they let themselves down after the Gombak match, and they were keen to make amends,” said Sivaji.
“We got the game going with purpose and went on to play some brilliant football.
“Ludovick held the ball very well and Peres was masterful in the final third of the field. I’m delighted as we were dominant and looked very good going forward.”
Meanwhile Albirex coach Hiroaki Hiraoka remained defiant in defeat. “We shall proceed the way we are,” said the coach when queried if the heavy loss would spell a different approach in their next fixture.
“We faced a good side in Home United tonight. There are games where it takes only one chance for opponents to score. Home had very good individual players and it showed,” said team manager Bogdan Brasoveanu.
